For artists the life is one thing...most of us work at other jobs, scrounge for contacts and shows, and parade our work before the inattentive and unresponsive. For the collector with deep pockets - it's quite another... we get a taste of it in this article by Eric Konigsberg. Parties, socializing and what looks like a bit of horse racing fever is the norm for the wealthy collector on the hunt! At the Armory this collector laid down $236,ooo in a matter of hours. Wow! The article makes it clear that this collecting fever is buring white hot among the equestrian classes. The discussion of the high paced bidding action at the auction house leaves one breathless. It's almost like watching the Kentucky Derby- and coming up on the outside it's Christopher Wool making his move out of the pack - he's apace the leaders - Christopher Wool nose to nose - Wool pulls ahead in the straight - it's Wool by a length - Wool takes it at the finish - 400 grand more important than 10 minutes before! The paddles are flapping, the sweat is beading on the forehead, a slight tingling sensation in the loins - then sudden disappointment as the painting is snatched away by a more focused bidder. Nevermind, there's a party going on later. And that's the scene of it all. The equestrian classes flying from one fair to another, getting to the right parties, meeting the right power brokers, in-fighting and positioning for the newest hottest work - art collecting is the social lubricant and art is the McGuffin. To top it off - I remain in awe and amazement of Jeffrey Deitch who is once again mentioned and quoted in a NYT article. He appears in the Times Art section so much he should be a credited editor. His stash of clandestine photos must be killer....

The truth of it all resides here - "The auction was over as far as she was concerned. But the night was young. She had a photography opening to go to, in SoHo, and then a dinner that Mr. Shiner was bringing her to, with one of her favorite Japanese artists. “There is always another art sale,” Ms. Hancock said." Lucky for the artists!